Naugatuck Candidate Profile: Charles P. Marenghi For Burgess

NAUGATUCK, CT — Naugatuck's election season is heating and there are plenty of contested races with candidates eager to get their name on the ballot for the city's municipal election. One of those contested races is the race for the Board of Mayor and Burgesses.

Naugatuck Patch asked candidates in the contested races to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Charles P. Marenghi, 51, is running for reelection to the Board of Mayor and Burgesses and is running as a Democrat.

Are you running for office in Naugatuck? Contact Brian McCready at brian.mccready@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and submitting campaign announcements to Naugatuck Patch.

Family: *

Wife: Gayle and 4 Children: Stephanie 19, Charley 17, Gwen 11, and Greg 9

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? *

Both my wife and I are employed by the Naugatuck Board of Education

Education: *

Graduate of Naugatuck High School 1986,
Bachelor of Science Degree (Math, Science, and Geography) Elementary Education CCSU 1997,
Master of Science Degree (Educational Leadership) CCSU 2007

Occupation: *

Professional Educator (21 Years’ Experience) Cross Street School Naugatuck, Connecticut.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office: *

Former Naugatuck Selectman, School Space Needs Committees, NHS Renovate to New Building Committee, Economic Development Commission, and Arts Commission

Campaign Website: *

https://www.facebook.com/maren...

The single most pressing issue facing our town/district is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it. *

Two words, “Economic Development,” capture the great issue of our times in Naugatuck. Addressing this requires logical thinking that is data driven yet sensitive to the community’s diverse needs. I embrace the opportunity to work with Mayor Hess as he re-defines our economic blueprint for Naugatuck. Continued examination of the “Port of Naugatuck,” is an essential piece of the economic future of our borough. I am excited to explore this innovative idea. Also a commitment of local government to ongoing infrastructure improvements and providing an enhanced quality of life are musts as we work to attract new commerce to our town. A vibrant local economy will help us to lower taxes and improve our community. With the right vision and support we can do it.

Crafting balanced and sensible budgets is at the heart of paving the way to a better future in Naugatuck. It is requisite that we use cost benefit rational when crafting a town budget. I will base my budget decisions on a metric that takes into account the long term impact of tax dollars spent versus the value of the government services provided. As chairman of the board of trustees of the Whittemore Library I used this method to preside over 10 years of one of the most cost efficient budgets in the borough. If elected Burgess, it will be my intent to bring this frugal yet forward thinking to the joint boards. I will review each department’s budget request with careful consideration of the true value of each proposed dollar spent on the town’s long term fiscal health. A government must live within its means.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post? *

I have a commitment to the long term success of this community. Naugatuck is the community that I grew up in. I moved here as a child of 7 in 1975. It is the town that my wife and I chose to purchase our home in (1995). Naugatuck is the borough that we are raising our four children in. It is the home in which my wife and I will retire in. To say the least, we are committed to Naugatuck for the long term past, present, and future. I am running for Burgess so that I may have the privilege of serving the community I love. It is my belief that as a Burgess, I can bring my understanding of Naugatuck’s past, involvement as a citizen in its present, and a commitment to this borough’s future to work for all of this town’s citizens.

I have long record of volunteer service in town that demonstrates my willingness to do whatever is needed to improve the community I love. My record in town is to serve where needed. Whether it was as a citizen soldier in the Connecticut Army National Guard, arts commissioner, youth sports volunteer, building committee member, or library trustee I have been committed to serve. As a citizen I place a high value on education, safe neighborhoods, and culture that makes any community a vibrant one to live and grow in. If the citizens of the borough are looking for a new voice in government that will represent an appreciation of Naugatuck’s rich history balanced with an eye towards the future, I ask them to consider granting me the privilege of their votes. If elected, I am committed to Naugatuck, to honor its past, enhance its present, and build its future.

List other issues that define your campaign platform:

Education: As a professional educator and a parent of children in our public schools, providing a quality education is of the utmost importance to me. More money is spent on this than anything else in the town. It is my position that we must closely examine the way we fund education locally and maximize the value of every dollar we spend. Most importantly, we need to let the needs of our children come first. With my wealth of education and experience on this topic I know that I can inform the discussion on education.

Economics: This needs to be our top priority. We need to use "Smart Growth" thinking that grows our grand list while enhancing our quality of life in town. Improving our infrastructure, providing a well educated workforce, and holding the line/lowering taxes are keys to attracting quality community minded businesses to Naugatuck. "Smart Growth" also respects the history and culture of a community while establishing a tenable future of economic growth for our town.

Public Safety: As a Burgess I will work to make sure that our police and fire departments are fully staffed and trained. A well trained and equipped cadre of first responders are an asset to all of us in town. Making sure they have what they need to do their jobs is paramount to our safety. I want our children to feel safe playing in our parks, walking on our streets, and attending our schools.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

If you already know me from my work as a teacher, youth sports coach, musician, and community volunteer then you know who I am and how do things. If you don't know me, let me share a few things with you. As an arts commissioner/chairperson I helped found two performing arts groups (Naugatuck Community Choir and Band) that are still going strong in our community.

In addition, I also planned summer events such as the summer music concerts on the green and the arts festival. As a member of the Naugatuck Economic Development Commission I was involved in the vetting and approval of several new businesses in our industrial park.

As a member/chairperson of the Howard Whittemore Memorial Library Board of Trustees I helped to craft balanced budgets of more than a half million dollars each year. Most of those budgets were zero increase budgets that still were able to maintain and support a professional library that serves our community with distinction. In addition to running an efficient fiscal ship at the library I also oversaw several capital improvement projects including a roof replacement, historic rotunda restoration, and the planning phases of an upcoming renovation of our children's department.

My work on several space needs and long term school planning committees has given my the insight as to the issues of facility inequity and conditions of our buildings. The work I have been a part of as a member of the NHS renovation building committee served as an educational experience as to the hurdles and hoops one must navigate when dealing with a massive $81 million building project.

My greatest experience that has prepared me to serve this community is the time I have had working with Naugatuck's citizens. Working with our town's youth as both a teacher and a volunteer coach/scout leader has given me invaluable insights into the needs of our younger people. Spending time with seniors at arts events and at my church has allowed me to tap into their wisdom and learn from their experiences. In these roles I have met with many citizens from diverse backgrounds. These people that I have worked with truly represent what Naugatuck is. When elected, These are the people that I am committed to serve.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

Always be willing to get involved and help others. I look to the words of John Wesley, "Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can."

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

One parting thought, in local politics, when electing an official you are engaging in the most intimate form of democracy. This election, more than the state or national has immediate implications on the streets we live on, the schools we send our children to, and the quality of life we live. It's not about Democrats or Republicans. It's about Naugatuck. It's about asking yourself, "Whom do I trust most to make the decisions on my behalf in town?"

To all the parents out there, I want them to see me as a fellow parent that has both younger and older children. I want them to understand that if they vote for me they are casting a vote for a person that shares their experiences and will bring that to the decision making table.

To all of my fellow taxpayers out there, I want them to understand that I am right there with them seeking out ways to lower taxes in a responsible way that does not compromise how the town provides essential services that enhance our quality of life. I want them to know that if they elect me as Burgess I will bring a frugal yet forward thinking mind to the budget crafting process.
To all of the hard working volunteers out there in Naugatuck, I want you to understand that I am one of you. If you vote for me I will do everything in my power to assist you in providing the vital services. Remember I understand that you work so hard at to the Borough of Naugatuck and I'm there with you.

To everyone in Naugatuck, I want you to remember that if elected, I will committed to Naugatuck, to honor its past, enhance its present, and build its future.